Novartis Pharmaceuticals

New Capabilities

Beneficiary of Evommune's failures in the chronic hives market

On September 8, Evommune killed its itch drug program. EVO756, an experimental oral treatment for atopic dermatitis, failed a mid-stage trial, missing all primary and secondary endpoints at every dose studied. The company will not advance it for that condition.

Updated 3 days ago

Money Moves

Facing investor pressure after two phase 3 failures

Novartis' experimental muscle-disease drug del-desiran failed its phase 3 Harbor trial, missing the primary endpoint and sending shares down. The drug was the centerpiece of the company's $12 billion acquisition of Avidity Biosciences, which closed last year.

Updated 4 days ago

New Capabilities

Manufacturer of Kymriah, first FDA-approved CAR-T therapy

Gene therapy killed Jesse Gelsinger in 1999. His death triggered FDA shutdowns and nearly ended the field.

Updated Jul 3

Money Moves

Incumbent competitor in CML market with Scemblix

Keytruda, the world's best-selling drug, generated $31.7 billion for Merck in 2025 — roughly 40% of the company's total revenue. Its key U.S. patents expire in 2028, and when they do, cheaper copies will enter the market and that revenue will begin to evaporate. Merck has now spent over $25 billion on three acquisitions in nine months to build the portfolio that will need to replace it.

Updated May 30

Money Moves

Competitor; developing oral BTK inhibitor for food allergy

For decades, the 27 million American adults and children with food allergies had one option: avoid the allergen and carry an EpiPen. That changed in February 2024 when the FDA approved Xolair as the first drug to reduce allergic reactions—including anaphylaxis—from accidental exposure to multiple foods.

Updated May 22